The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-19
4 pOSTMASTER'S SHORTAGE.
The Discovery Made by Department
Inspector at the Plainfeld Office.
One Of Congressman MatsOn's Appointees Sud-
denly Leaves His Trust to the Care Of His
Money and Stamps Missing.

of Horace Greeley Douglass postmaster OF
PlsinGssl At time he held subordinate
place under the Reform School trustees, bnt
they mistrusted him. While they did not charge
him with peculation it was thought best, on ac-
count of his actions, to allow him to resign
Shortly after this he became applicant for the
postmaster's place, and he intrusted his interests
to Congressman Matson, who became his
sponsor. Superinte ndent Charlton, of the he
form School, led the opposition, and made it
warm for Douglass, but the latter was success
ful. The Postofice Department had assurances
from Superintendent Charlton and other leading
citizens of Plainield that Douglass had nothing
to recommend him for the duties of 80 RESPONSE
bic position. Congressman Matson overcame
them and insisted Douglass Many who op
posed him sought other opportunities TO receive
and forward their mail when he took charge Of
the Office. A great deal of tie letter
matter and paper mail of that town belongs to
the Reform School. and for this Superintendent
Charlton arranged by sending and receiving it
through the Avon Office, eight miles away, or by
mailing the matter on the postal cars. Doug
lass, of course, did not like this lessening of the
Importance of his Office, and tried to have the
authorities check it. He failed, and continued
to conduct the Plainfeld postohice with doubts
hanging over him cot only as to his ability, but
integrity.
r. S. Stewart, an inspector of the Postoface
Department, on an official trip through this part
of the State, went to Plainfield yesterday morn
ing, without any special purpose except to note
how the affairs of the Office were being con-
Quoted He looked over the money order &C.
ancy that suggested An investigation more in
terestng than he expected. Douglass had on
hand to this account $3.50 in the drawer, but the
figures showed that to secure proper balance
300 ought to be forthcoming. He asked the
postmaster where it was. SAT home,
he replied, Il am in the habit OF keeping some
Of the money at my house" The inspector took
this statement for what it was worth. but led
Douglass to believe that he accepted it without
suspicion. The examination continued, with
other discrepancies appearing, until the dinner
hour, when Inspector Stewart went to the hotel
Tor dinner. He returned in about three-quarters
of an hour, to find note from Douglass, which
stated that he had been unexpectedly summoned
to Dauville to attend court II will return as
soon as | can" the postmaster further wrote
but, IN the meantime. il you want assistance in
your examination of the books, my brother will
give it to you. l hope you will remain ovel
night, so can see you in the morning" This
information worried the Inspector. for it had
doubtful air about it, but the purpose of Doug
lass's hasty departure was better explained wher
Mr. Stewart telephoned to Danville and was tolG
that the postmaster had not been there ard thai
there wss no necessity for his presence at the
courthouse SO far as suit was con
cerned. as he had litigation pending
When the inspector looked for tile $3.50 belonging
to the ey-order account shown him few
hours before it could not be found From the
stamp drawer, where he had seen a lot of stamp:
--ssrA considerable money, he could gather only
pennies amounting to q little short of So. There
was a bank next door, and there Douglass ht
learned. had private account. as well as de
post of stamps. Mr. Stewart went there ane
called for the latter. The cashier opened tn,
safe-deposit box in which they were supposed Il
he, and found it empty. Douglass. it seems, hat
been there before him. Then the cashier begaI
to understand why the postmaster had draw,
the 800 he also had there to his account Call
ing In Mrs. Douglass the inspector learned tina
her husband came home to dinner and told he
he would have to go to Danville during the after
noon. After eating he saddled his horse
and about l o'clock left the place
riding northward. The inspector at one
informed Douglasss bondsmen, who will selec
one Of their number to take charge Of the ofic
until an appointment is made. Mr.. Stewart viii
return to Plainfield to-day, and complete an ex
animation Of the books, which. he thinks, Wi
reveal shortage Of $500 or 5000 in the money
order account alone. He has not begun on tn
stamp account, which will probably increase tn
in stamps, and has several times negotiated wit
the postmaster at Bridgeport for temporary sur
plies. Gambling is said to have caused all thi
trouble for Douglass, whose arrest will be mad
just as soon one of United States Marsha
Hawkinss deputies find him.